Why? Because of the way the guy went out, obviously. He didn’t get the farewell tour that some legends get when they announce their retirement in advance. And of course he didn’t even get to retire, but was instead fired by Penn State as a result of his mishandling of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. So JoePa never really got his one last moment in the sun. He was gone before the dust had even settled.

This got me thinking: who are some other sports legends that we don’t really think about all that often anymore, but who we would be truly sad to see go?

The following is what I came up with. My goal wasn’t to be morbid or anything by pointing out that, yeah, these dudes are pretty old. It was simply to remind everyone how awesome they were.

So without further ado, click away to see who comes in at #9.

The past three months have been awfully tough on Joe Paterno, and it all came to a sad end on Saturday when it was announced that the former head coach of the Penn State football team had lost his battle with cancer at the age of 85.

While many will remember Paterno for his involvement in the Penn State scandal and the way he left the school’s football program, most true college football fans will remember the coaching legend for building the Nitaney Lions into one of the nation’s most prestigious sports programs.  Photographer Phillip Mackenzie was able to capture that memory in the above image, which provides a picturesque look at “the house that Joe built.”

Stone and Parker appeared to be tip-toeing the line between funny and tasteless with jokes equating Penn State to the Neverland Ranch and a catholic church, as well as a joke commenting on Paterno’s refusal to report the incident to the cops.  And then they decided to crap all over that so-called “line” and leap several feet beyond it with the following joke:

“And it also says here that Penn State prefers to be losing at halftime, because at Penn State they like when you’re a little behind in the locker room.”

You can check out most of the good stuff in the first video.  As for the comment above, you can find that at the 0:50 mark of the second clip.

Well, there’s nothing to add to the coverage of the scandal surrounding Joe Paterno, so let’s just step back and honor the end of the man’s career by counting of his myriad accomplishments and contributions to the game. He personified the spirit of college football in so many different ways, not the least of which was his stealer track record and pair of national championships. It’s hard to rank them, but we did our best.

9. The Declaration Of The Grand Experiment

While many coaches, if not all, pay lip service to the melding of academics and athletics, Joe Paterno explicitly declared an end he was working toward as he signed on to the head coaching job at Penn State in 1966. As a result over Paterno’s tenure, Penn State has seen a graduation rate for its players of 78%, a marked improvement of the national average of 67%.

He was able to maintain a focus on citizenship and academics, all the while maintaining the level of athletic excellence that Penn State fans have grown accustomed to.

8. His Name Is On The Big-10 Championship Trophy

And not just as a recipient. In 2010, the Big Ten decided to name the trophy the Stagg-Paterno Championship Trophy, to be awarded to the conference champion who finds themselves en route to either or the Rose Bowl or the National Championship game. What’s most amazing is that his name was emblazoned on the trophy not only while he was alive, BUT WHILE HE WAS STILL COACHING IN THE CONFERENCE. That’s like the Patriot’s hoisting the Belichick trophy after a Super Bowl win.

7. Quarterback/Cornerback At Brown

Despite playing way back in the dark ages (1947-1950), Paterno STILL holds the school record for career interceptions with 14, tied with Greg Parker. Pretty impressive, especially considering those were the days when the ball would almost never be thrown. It’s hard to imagine Joe Pa as a quick guy, but he sure was.

6. 2002 Stagg Award

This award is not only for the greatest football coach in the college ranks, but in football at all levels. What’s even more remarkable then him receiving this award is the fact that it took him so long to get it. Nonetheless, despite the adoration from so many fans and the media, he can have this award sitting atop his mantle in case he ever needs tangible proof that he is among the greatest to ever coach the game of football.

5. Induction To The College Football Hall Of Fame

He’s by far the most iconic coach playing today, so it was only a matter of time before he crossed the threshold into the College Football Hall of Fame. While he didn’t need the validation by an stretch, especially while he was still coaching, it was a nice gesture to demonstrate that he was a living legend. Not that we needed any reminder.

4. Sportsman of the Year

It’s very rare that a coach receive Sports Illustrated’s highest annual honor, but on the heels of Penn State’s second national championship in five years, the decision to honor Mr. Penn State was a bit of a no-brainer. He exuded class quietly and cleanly all the while tallying up the best record in college football. Not an easy line to walk in the corrupt landscape of the game. Who else could they have given it to?

3. Knocking Off Bowden

In the 2006 Orange Bowl, two loved and storied coaches faced off on a national stage to demonstrate who had the best team (long after both teams and coaches had reached their prime). Well, Paterno emerged triumphant, in the seventh and last meeting between the two iconic coaches. They were the two winningest coaches in college football, and on that January night, Paterno was just a little more winningest.

2. His 2008 Season

After everyone was clamoring for his retirement, Joe Paterno quietly focused on the task at hand in 2008 – leading his team to victory, just as he tried to every year. Only this year, he was a little more successful, having chalked up a record of 11-2 in the face of all the criticism and adversity. Sure, he didn’t take down a title that year, but he shut everyone up, not be lashing out in the press, but by doing what he always did: winning with quiet dignity.

1. Uh, the National Championships

It would be remiss to put Joe Pa’s two national championships, (1982 and 1986) anywhere else on this list. It’s why coaches exist. While Paterno was able to accomplish a lot more than just win a couple trophies during his tenure, this pair of feats is certainly the most quantifiable way of demonstrating that Paterno ranks among the best coaches in history, not only for his contributions to the program and his players, but also in terms of straight W’s and L’s.

The whole situation over at Penn State right now is so horrifying that making light of it seems to be the only sensible course of action. Big thanks to the NMA guys for making the horrific at least slightly humorous.

(h/t The Score)

Yesterday we provided you all with a look at what could possibly be the new mascot at Penn State following the allegations that former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky had sexually assaulted several young boys over a 15-year period.  Today we provide you with a look at a logo that the Nittany Lions may want to adopt as their own going forward.

In an act of protest, students overturned a news van and many are placing blame for the entire scandal squarely on the media (yes, really). Stay classy, Penn State.

*Update* Joe Paternity has since announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

Hat Tip – (Big Lead Sports)

At the age of 84, it is no secret that Joe Paterno is an awfully old man, but is he too old to be coaching?  I figured if anyone could still do it at that age, it was Paterno, but perhaps it is time for the old man to step down form his head coaching position at Penn State.  After all, someone with glasses as thick as his and a screen as big as the one he is looking at in the image above surely can’t see what is taking place on the field in front of him during an actual game, can he?

At most sporting events, there is little opportunity for the principals to really flex much muscle in the arena of fashion because, quite simply, all the players are wearing uniforms. Well, the coaches don’t have to. Except in baseball. And baseball managers look ridiculous in uniforms.

In the more advanced sports, coaches don’t have to dress like they’re going to step out onto the field and play any minute, which allows them some room for flair and some signature accessories. (I realize I sound like a JC Penney catalog right now.) Here are nine examples of coaches who wore their trademarks till the bitter end.

9. Bruce Pearl – Blazer

Bruce Pearl was so enthusiastic about coaching the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team that he wore a truly hideous day-glo orange blazer that sort of matched the teams colors, but looked more like a construction vest. His enthusiasm for the team also led him to commit several recruiting violations that ended with his termination from the job. The good news is that prisons share the same shade of orange in their jumpsuits.

8. Jim Tressel – Sweater Vest

The Ohio State sweater vest might be on permanent hiatus after the um..how do I put this delicately.r..ampant cheating that Tressel at best turned a blind eye to and at worst orchestrated. He really owned the “academic geek” look. Now that he’s gotten in all this trouble, he’ll have to shake that image and get a new one. May I suggest something from the Ice-T collection? He could pull off Ed Hardy, too.

7. Tom Landry – Hat

Tom Landry carried himself like the product of a bygone era. His 29 year run saw his “Mad Men” sensibilities carry all the way into the late 80’s. His gentlemanly hat and wardrobe were indicative of a soft tone that simply doesn’t exist these days in any sports, let alone football. You would never catch Landry in an outburst that would make those Coors Light “Press Conference” commercials. Though it would be pretty funny if they managed to shoehorn him in there.

6. Mike Ditka – Sweater

Ditka developed a style in Chicago that can best be described as “brusque” with his pushbroom mustache, tinted glasses, and sweater that looked like it was printed out by an Atari machine. This guy would have made the best cop. He looks like what a polish sausage would look like if it became human. I mean that in the absolutely most respectful way possible.

5. Bill Belichick – Ghetto-Ass Sweatshirt

This is what crazy people wear. Nothing says “I really don’t give a f$#% about anything but football” than a hoodie that has the sleeves crudely chopped off for reasons indeterminate. I think the hoodie is a metaphor for all the contempt he has for everything, ever. It might as well be a giant sandwich board that says “I don’t give a sh*t.”

4. Pat Riley – Hair

You know what “Showtime” really was? It was seven gallons of hair gel and an Armani suit. Pat Riley embodied 1980’s Los Angeles like no other celebrity could. The only way he could have been more LA is if he wore Wayfarers and had a constant nosebleed. He’s kept the look over time, but it really suited him best in LA. Phil Jackson is a great coach, but he’s always seemed a little more Chicago than LA. Pat should really give him the number of his stylist.

3. Jimmy Johnson – Hair

While the phrase “big Texas hair” generally refers to women’s coifs, it’s safe to say that Jimmy Johnson epitomized the look for males. With the hairspray and the rigid shape, he looked like a tan bible salesman.

His hair was such a part of his image that after the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1992, the first thing the players did was mess up the hair. Partially because they were excited, and partially because they knew that only after a Super Bowl high could they reach to upset Jimmy’s hair and not pull back a bloody stump.

2. Arsene Wenger – Coat

More often than not, trademark accessories or fashion elements are trademarks because they’re awful, not because they’re stylish and cool. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s coat certainly doesn’t defy that logic. It looks like something someone in New Hampshire would have worn skiing in 1978. Which is funny, because it gets cold in London, but not nearly as arctic as Mr. Wenger would have you believe. If he wants to really embrace the mountaineering look, he should get a ski cap and some furry Uggs. To show that he’s in on the joke.

1. Joe Paterno – Sunglasses

The oldest coach in the history of both old people and sports has probably the hippest sunglasses in fashion right now. Joe Paterno: The original hipster. Underneath those Blu-blockers is a font of football knowledge. And over that font is a windbreaker, a sweater vest, and a tie. He’s got a lot of layers, that Paterno. Like a parfait. Nah. More like phyllo dough.